Egwu centered on success at Illinois

Nnanna Egwu’s father isn’t afraid of working long to make ends meet, including driving a cab in Chicago. Egwu’s mother isn’t afraid of an extra shift on her job at a hospital.

That’s where the work ethic comes for Egwu, born in Nigeria and raised from the age of 6 in the United States. Nnanna Egwu found his niche on the basketball court, where the 6-foot-10 freshman center from Chicago St. Ignatius High attempts to make an impact at the University of Illinois this winter. His passion for the game and improving is already legendary.

JOHN SUPINIE

Nnanna Egwu’s father isn’t afraid of working long to make ends meet, including driving a cab in Chicago. Egwu’s mother isn’t afraid of an extra shift on her job at a hospital.

That’s where the work ethic comes for Egwu, born in Nigeria and raised from the age of 6 in the United States. Nnanna Egwu found his niche on the basketball court, where the 6-foot-10 freshman center from Chicago St. Ignatius High attempts to make an impact at the University of Illinois this winter. His passion for the game and improving is already legendary.

“He was an immigrant child trying to do better,” said Mike Mullins, Egwu’s AAU coach with the Illinois Wolves. “His family left Nigeria for a better life. He realized this is his opportunity, not only athletically but educationally, to take a generational leap for his family. This is truly an American success story.”

Assuredly, there will be growing pains for Egwu, who suffered through a poor showing in his last game in Assembly Hall -- six points, five rebounds and three blocks while limited with foul trouble in a loss to Notre Dame High School and Max Bielfeldt in the Shootout at the Hall in December.

But Egwu is stronger again and regained his athleticism after back surgery kept him from the weight room last season. He’s also crazy long. In the meantime, his drive just never stops.

“I got it at JiffyLube for $39.99,” said Egwu, when asked about his motor. Sounds like he’s no longer the shy, quiet kid.

“He’s hungry, and he even talks more than when he was here on his (recruiting) visit,” Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber said. “He didn’t show much pizzazz and personality. He’s gotten a little competitive, and he’s gotten some humor to him, too.”

Egwu also shows some instincts, a pleasant surprise for a player whose athletic career was essentially limited to recess before stepping onto the basketball court as a high school freshman. He didn’t have any bad habits to correct because Egwu had little to no experience.

“He was an experiment, a guy who never played,” Weber said. “They taught him good habits. He continued to have those good habits.”

Egwu has a capable jump shot with a high release. He instinctively uses the correct hand on shot blocks, then chases the ball down rather than showboating, Mullins said. Then there’s that work ethic. It will help Egwu as he battles for playing time with center Meyers Leonard and forward Tyler Griffey.

“When I first started, I wasn’t that good,” Egwu said. “Then I found out that if I played hard, something good happens. As long as I compete, play hard and make sure (Leonard) competes, we’ll be fine.”

BASKETBALL: The Illini men’s nonconference schedule was made with a young team in mind. The highlights include games against Gonzaga at home, UNLV at the United Center in Chicago, the ACC-Big Ten Challenge contest at Maryland and the annual Braggin’ Rights showdown against Missouri in St. Louis.

UNLV (No. 25), Mizzou (37), Gonzaga (56) and Maryland (98) all finished in the top 100 in last season’s RPI, according to Realtime RPI. Richmond (41), the semifinal opponent in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico, can’t be overlooked.

But the Illini also have time to grow up — the season opener on Nov. 11 against Loyola (197), plus games against Chicago State (339), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (328), Coppin State (246) and Cornell (210). The Illini may also play Illinois State (255) in Cancun.

ILLINI ITEMS: The Illini women’s soccer team hosts USC on Sept. 2 in a rematch of a 3-1 loss to the Trojans in the NCAA tournament game last season. The Illini have seven NCAA appearances in coach Janet Rayfield’s first nine years. Illinois opens the season Aug. 19 vs. visiting Gonzaga. ... According to an si.com report, former Illini assistant and current Texas Tech basketball coach Billy Gillispie lost $2.3 million in investments with the late J. David Salinas, a former Houston businessman and AAU basketball connection who committed suicide. ... Chatham Glenwood guard Peyton Allen, who is on the Illini radar, pulled a hamstring in a St. Louis tournament Sunday. A sophomore this winter, Allen was slowed earlier this summer by a severe concussion.

John Supinie covers University of Illinois sports for GateHouse News Service. He can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

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